The Owen-Withee Blackhawks jump started their 2024 season with a big 57-0 win over Prairie Farm last Friday night. The old saying “speed kills” was very evident during the game as Prairie Farm had no answer for the Blackhawks speed.

The Blackhawks run game was in mid-season form as they rolled up 195 yards and three scores in the first quarter with big plays from Brandon Geldernick on 29 yard and 69 yard touchdowns and Mason Gay on a quick hitting trap for 53 yards and a score. The offensive line of Tim Stock, Sam Rasmussen, Jack Wendler, Colin Fritz, and Winston Poehler did a nice job of creating some gaping holes for the running backs. In the second quarter, Sully Poehler, the Hawks bruising fullback found paydirt from 5 yards out and Mason Gay added another long run of 49 yards and a touchdown to make the score 38-0. The Hawks closed out the scoring in the first half when Blackhawk quarterback Dominic Sherwood found Winston Poehler wide open on a boot play for a 54 yard touchdown pass making the score 45-0 at the half.

As if the Hawks needed any more motivation, it was Parents Night, so parents and players were announced at halftime along with managers and coaching staff.

The second half  gave the younger Hawks an opportunity to see some varsity time scoring twice in the 4th quarter. Talon Mueller found the endzone on a 5 yard burst up the middle and Crandon Dallman finished up the scoring on a 16 yard sweep play making the final score 57-0.

The Blackhawk defense under the tutelage of Coaches Steve Kadolph and Albert Goerlitz played outstanding defense limiting Prairie Farm to 9/22 passing for 100 yards and negative 20 yards rushing! Big plays, such as three pass interceptions, one fumble recovery, along with a fumbled punt snap, went a long way in helping the Hawks pitch the shutout.

The Blackhawks will travel to Cornell Friday night for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff for their Conference opener against the Chieftans.